Mexican Judo Team Shines at Central American and Caribbean Cup
The Mexican senior judo team achieved a successful outcome at the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Cup, held in Panama, earning a total of ten medals: three golds, one silver, and six bronzes. The team secured second place in the competition, trailing only Cuba, which dominated with six gold medals.
Awiti Alcaraz Leads the Charge
Leading the national team was Prisca Awiti Alcaraz, the Olympic runner-up from Paris 2024. Awiti Alcaraz, undisputed figure of tricolor judo, reaffirmed her status as favorite by winning the 63 kilogram category
, where she claimed the gold medal. Her victory reinforces her position as a key athlete for Mexico and marks a significant milestone for the sport.
Golden Performances
The other two gold medals for Mexico were won by Gilberto Cardoso in the up to 81 kg division and Diego Díaz in the 90 kg category. These victories propelled Mexico to second place in the overall medal standings.
Looking Ahead
This tournament served as preparation for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo 2026. The Mexican delegation will continue their competitive schedule with another edition of the Central American and Caribbean Cup, scheduled for next week in Guatemala.
A New Era for Mexican Judo
Awiti Alcaraz’s success at the Paris 2024 Olympics—where she won the first Olympic medal in the history of Mexican judo—has been transformative for the discipline. Before her achievement, Vanessa Zambotti was the most prominent judoka in the country, competing in four consecutive Olympic Games (2004-2016) and earning medals at the Pan American Games: gold in Rio 2007, silver in Toronto 2015, and bronze in Guadalajara 2011.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in sight, Mexican judo aims to build on its recent progress and return to the Olympic podium. The performance in Panama 2026 demonstrates the sustained development of the sport within the country.
“The first of these was courtesy of Prisca Awiti through the 66 kilograms,”